Nigerian News Leader First with details then facts 
By Boma Benson (Energy Correspondent)
An Abuja-based engineer and electricity consultant, Dike Ejike, has recommended the Geometric Power Model of electricity development to tackle such issues as constant national grid collapse.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe on Friday received a delegation from the Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN), led by their new Managing Director, Mr. Jin Lee.
By Boma Benson (Energy Correspondent)
Members of a neighbourhood watch operating on Ngwa Road by the Old Court in Aba, the Abia State commercial nerve centre, have apprehended a man in his 20s about to vandalize the Aba Power power distribution infrastructure in the locality.
By Cosmas Enahoro (Edo State Correspondent, in Benin City)
To boost food security and agricultural growth, while simultaneously empowering women, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, stressed the need for women's inclusion in agricultural programmes.
* Decries Fragmented Implimentation
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has charged sub-Saharan African nations to keep pace with unfolding trends in the global oil and gas industry and adopt a unified approach in strengthening local content development, advancing industrialisation and fostering sustainable continent-wide economic growth.
In a Keynote Address at the 9th Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), in Lagos, on Tuesday, Engr. Ogbe said nations like Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana have made notable strides in local content development by boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector, but expressed regret that “fragmented implementation continues to hinder collective progress.”
He called for a collaborative strategy among petroleum-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa that would foster the sharing of best practices and enhance cross-border partnerships that could drive the competiveness of indigenous players.
In his paper entitled “Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategy,” Engr. Ogbe identified harmonisation of local content policies, human capital development, investment in infrastructure, funding for local companies and technology transfer, as key pillars to Africa’s collaboration strategy.
He noted that “there is a need to develop a robust local content framework that positions the region for long-term economic prosperity,” and that this could be fostered “through the collaborative efforts of APPO [African Petroleum Producers Organisation] and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union.”
Engr. Ogbe also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a critical legal framework that could be leveraged to achieve collaborative local content strategy in Africa, given the free trade area it has created by integrating 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries with a combined gross domestic product of over $3 trillion.
On human capital development, which he described as “pivotal to the successful implementation of local content,” he observed that approximately 60% of Africa’s population is currently under the age of 25, and that this teeming population provides a unique opportunity to fast-track development. “A large, young workforce,” he noted, “can drive expansion through increased productivity and expansion.”
The NCDMB boss dwelt at length on how investment in infrastructure could catalyse regional economic growth, citing the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Company, which he noted would afford Nigeria and other African countries partnership opportunities for sourcing petroleum products and fertiliser.
Similar projects capable of leveraging collaborations include Kenya’s Konza Technology City, Grand Ethiopian Dam, Lekki Free Trade Zone (Lagos), and facilities like the SHI-MCI FPSO Fabrication/Integration Yard in Lagos. Others highlighted by the Executive Secretary were NCDMB’s Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS) being developed in seven locations in Nigeria, to which he invited interested businessmen and investors seeking to manufacture industry-related equipment, components and spares to apply.
Speaking on funding, Engr. Ogbe said “A regional fund or financial framework that provides credit facilities, guarantees, and investment incentives would strengthen indigenous firms,” noting with satisfaction that an African Energy Bank, established by APPO with the support of the NCDMB, which has taken equity investment in it, is soon to be operational.
In regard to technology transfer and innovation, he pointed out that “Encouraging joint ventures, research collaborations, and technology-sharing agreements among African nations will drive the adoption of cutting-edge solutions and indigenous technological advancements in the African economy.”
The overall strategy discussed by Engr. Ogbe envisages roles for the academia and research institutions, which must collaborate on industry-driven research, innovations, and skills development. In his words, “By working together, we can create a formidable and self-reliant petroleum sector that delivers long-term benefits for our economies, businesses, and people.”
Earlier on Monday, in a Pre-Event Session, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the NCDMB, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, delivered a paper on “Optimisation of Developed Capacities and Capabilities in Africa for the Growth of African Oil and Gas Industry.”
In the presentation, with illustration from Africa’s Hydrocarbon Map, he discussed Local Content Value Proposition for Africa, Concepts, and Way Forward. Under Local Content Value Proposition, he highlighted research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, while Supply Chain Optimisation threw light on sustainable operations, increased production and utilisation of locally made goods, and contribution to GDP.
Under Way Forward for Sector-Specific Industrialisation, Mr. Halilu charged petroleum-producing countries to “identify and develop niche industries, promote specialization and value addition, establish export-oriented economic zones.” For trade and regional integration under AfCFTA, his suggestion was, “Harmonise trade policies and regulations, develop efficient transport and logistics networks, export expansion grant to companies promoting intra-Africa trade.”
The 9th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) continues in Lagos. NNL.
By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
In continuation of their annual Corporate Social Responsibility, BUA Cement Company Limited, on Tuesday, donated drugs and other medical consumables to 16 hospitals in Sokoto State.
By Cosmas Enahoro (Edo State Correspondent, in Benin City)
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has promised that his administration will continue to work with the Federal Government to develop the State and make it the envy of all.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Thursday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, played host to a visiting team of ranking military officers from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, who are in the state on a local study tour.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The United Nations (UN) Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has released US$5 million from the Central Emergency Fund (CERF) for anticipatory action for floods in Nigeria.
By Cosmas Enahoro (Edo State Correspondent, in Benin City)
The Republic of South Africa has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Edo State Government in the area of infrastructural development.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was excited to receive the South African delegation in Benin City, said the former Apartheid enclave and Nigeria have many things in common, especially Edo State.
He noted that Edo State joined South Africa in its fight against the Apartheid regime.
“Edo State and South Africa have a lot in common as everything affecting South Africa, we see it as a common interest to us.
“South Africa and Nigeria have many things in common, especially Edo State. Edo State joined South Africa to fight for the end of Apartheid.
“In business, collaboration is possible because if we do things in common. Our doors are open, and we are ready to collaborate with you and ensure the collaboration yields positive results that will develop the State. We are set for investments, development, and growth,” Governor Okpebholo said.
South African Ambassador, Dr. Bobby Moroe, who was accompanied by other top diplomats, said the infrastructural potentials of Edo State attracted his country to collaborate with the State.
He said: “My team is happy to be in Benin City, Edo State, and we appreciate your administration for the warm reception. We are here to collaborate with your administration.
“We are here to revive the collaboration we established about three years ago. We have visited various agencies in your government to seek partnership and collaboration between Edo State and Gauteng Province in South Africa. Gauteng is the economic hub of South Africa.
“Gauteng is like Lagos in Nigeria in terms of population and economy. We have chosen Edo State because of the great potential it possesses. The infrastructural development potentials attracted us to Edo State.
“We have an insatiable appetite to work with the Edo State Government. We waited until the election was over, and now we are here to collaborate. We are making fresh commitments as we collaborate with you.
“We are focusing on deliverables as we meet with various Permanent Secretaries across various ministries. We have a number of projects to be focused on.” NNL.
By Cosmas Enahoro (Edo State Correspondent, in Benin City)
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the Federal University of Sports located in Afuze, Edo State.
By Salejo Kano (Kano State Correspondent)
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has explained that the reason he appointed Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was for him to "significantly contribute to realizing his administration’s vision for Kano State".
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